Abstract
BackgroundAlthough mobile apps are readily available for speech sound disorders (SSD), their validity has not been systematically evaluated. This evidence-based appraisal will critically review and synthesize current evidence on available therapy apps for use by children with SSD.ObjectiveThe main aims are to (1) identify the types of apps currently available for Android and iOS mobile phones and tablets, and (2) to critique their design features and content using a structured quality appraisal tool.MethodsThis protocol paper presents and justifies the methods used for a systematic review of mobile apps that provide intervention for use by children with SSD. The primary outcomes of interest are (1) engagement, (2) functionality, (3) aesthetics, (4) information quality, (5) subjective quality, and (6) perceived impact. Quality will be assessed by 2 certified practicing speech-language pathologists using a structured quality appraisal tool. Two app stores will be searched from the 2 largest operating platforms, Android and iOS. Systematic methods of knowledge synthesis shall include searching the app stores using a defined procedure, data extraction, and quality analysis.ResultsThis search strategy shall enable us to determine how many SSD apps are available for Android and for iOS compatible mobile phones and tablets. It shall also identify the regions of the world responsible for the apps’ development, the content and the quality of offerings. Recommendations will be made for speech-language pathologists seeking to use mobile apps in their clinical practice.ConclusionsThis protocol provides a structured process for locating apps and appraising the quality, as the basis for evaluating their use in speech pathology for children in English-speaking nations.
Highlights
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The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries
Close to 60% of participating countries in the high-income group reported treatment compliance initiatives, compared to approximately 30% for the other income groups. These results are consistent with the literature review, which found a concentration of studies from high-income countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and United States with treatment compliance programmes using short messaging service (SMS), mobile phone applications, web browsing and e-mail for chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and obesity [12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20]
Summary
Governments are expressing interest in mHealth as a complementary strategy for strengthening health systems and achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in low and middleincome countries.1 This interest has manifested into a series of mHealth deployments worldwide that are providing early evidence of the potential for mobile and wireless technologies. The field’s potential is recognized by the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO) The former included mHealth as a key innovation to achieve the goals outlined in the new Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health launched in New York on 22 September 2010. The latter included a module on mHealth in the 2009 Global eHealth survey. MHealth involves the use and capitalization on a mobile phone’s core utility of voice and short messaging service (SMS) as well as more complex functionalities and applications including general packet radio service (GPRS), third and fourth generation mobile telecommunications (3G and 4G systems), global positioning system (GPS), and Bluetooth technology
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